Digital Marketing

How to evolve your business model as times change

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Are you prepared to meet the needs of new customers?

We’ve been navigating our way through uncertainty for a few months now, and I have to say: small business owners are resilient.

In a time of stress and sadness, we pivot, we adapt, and I hope everyone, their families, and their small businesses are doing well.

I’ve written a lot about managing your small business during the pandemic, from “How to Boost Your Small Business Strategy During the COVID-19 Crisis” to “How to Create a Crisis Response Landing Page,” on our site. Web.

Now, we turn to the next step: emerging from the coronavirus pandemic not just in one piece, but as successful entrepreneurs who have learned some valuable lessons.

As we move forward, it’s obvious that some things change forever. In a recent survey, 81% of Canadians agreed that the crisis will create a new normal and have a lasting impact on society.

So as my province of BC, Canada begins to reopen for business, it’s time to take a look at your marketing and assess whether it still makes sense for your target audience.

How to define the needs of your customers

Let’s go back… all the way back to 1943, when Abraham Maslow proposed his hierarchy of needs. According to his theory, people are motivated to meet basic requirements (food, shelter) before moving on to more advanced ones (intimate relationships, sense of accomplishment).

During the coronavirus crisis, people have become more focused on basic needs, like staying safe from COVID-19 and buying food. These different needs may also have led them to buy things they wouldn’t normally buy, like lots of hand sanitizer or take-out food several times a week.

Some of the customer behaviors we’ve seen during the pandemic may be here to stay, including:

  • Continue to wear masks in crowded areas and wash hands more frequently
  • Think more carefully before buying “wants”
  • Work/study from home most of the time
  • Choose brands that are the most empathetic and aware

So ask yourself: how have your customers’ needs changed during this time? What do they expect of you?

How to evolve your business model to meet new customer needs

Just because we’re slowly returning to a “new normal” doesn’t mean everyone is going to be hopping on planes and going to big parties. Especially for those who have been personally affected by COVID-19, it will be difficult to reintegrate into society, so to speak.

Here are some ways you might need to pivot to meet new customer needs:

1. Maintain/increase communication about health and safety measures.

A large part of your business model transformation will include how you communicate with your customers.

For example, salons and spas have been closed for months, and even once they reopen, consumers want to know what steps they are taking to protect their health.

Some clients will not feel comfortable walking into a salon unless they are aware that certain health measures are in place.

Don’t be quick to remove your COVID-19 home page or health and safety messages from your website or Google My Business listing; rather seek to update the copy with new information to reassure your customers.

2. Address new patterns.

If you’ve started offering heat-and-serve meals, curbside pickup, or telemedicine sessions to customers, they may expect that in the future.

This may be a good opportunity to take a closer look at what worked and evolve your business model accordingly.

If you don’t sell essential services, you may need to change your marketing strategy to address different spending behaviors. Many people have been hit hard financially and won’t have as much disposable income.

Others will have gotten used to a new way of doing things. Similarly, to what I mentioned in no. In #1, COVID-19 has changed the way people consume certain services.

For example, a school may need to integrate more online learning into its model to attract students who are now used to and more comfortable with fully remote classes.

Many organizations are rethinking face-to-face conferences and other events. Will employees want to travel to large convention centers to network with other attendees? Or will they also be happy with a virtual conference next year?

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READ: “3 Ecommerce Challenges and Solutions for Tough Times” on our website:

There is no arguing that this pandemic has led to an increase in internet traffic as people work, socialize and entertain themselves online. But an increase in Internet usage doesn’t necessarily translate into increased sales for your small business.

Many consumers are hesitant to buy, either because they are not sure when they will be able to use the service you sell, or because they have been laid off or have had their hours reduced.

That’s why I’m sharing 3 ecommerce challenges and solutions to help you sustain and even grow as an entrepreneur during this crisis.

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How can you best meet the needs of new customers?

No matter how your business model evolves, it’s important to remember that meeting your customers’ needs is an ongoing process. Whether it’s two weeks after the pandemic or two years, always:

Listen, listen, listen. From tracking your customer reviews to sending out a questionnaire, it’s never been more important to take your customers’ sentiments into account.

Listening on social media can also be a great way to “check the pulse” of how your customers are engaging with your brand and content. Then use what you’ve learned to modify your marketing strategy for the future.

Always be attractive. I hope you’ve been doing this during the pandemic, but it’s critical post-COVID-19 as well. People will still be spending a lot of time at home for the foreseeable future, so create uplifting, inspirational, and/or informative content for your website, social media accounts, paid ads, and newsletters.

Pay attention to changing trends in your industry and customer behavior to guide your content strategy.

Here’s an example: During the pandemic, DIY was big, from home renovations to crafts. Nielsen reported that yeast sales were up nearly 650% over the previous year as homebound people cooked up a storm.

So think about how your customers might be using your products or services and offer them good content, whether it’s bread baking tips or how to get out of debt.

Regardless of what your business sells, communicating with and reassuring your customers remains paramount. And remember: your customers can tell the difference between a sales gimmick and authenticity, so be sure to communicate value at all times.

So what comes after the crisis? Nobody knows it for sure. But by modifying your business model as needed now, you’ll be ready for whatever the future holds!

Relationship

Finding Age Appropriate Words When Writing for Kids

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Writing in general can be a tough business; writing for children is even more difficult. Writing for children has its own tricks, processes, and rules; one of those rules is to use age-appropriate words.

The difference between this and writing in general is that children’s writing field is divided into specific age groups. There are illustrated books and scrapbooks for the little ones. The plot and the text are simple; they need to tell a story that includes basic conflict and action, but is geared toward young children’s understanding.

Then comes the first readers. Again, the words used and the plot are relatively simple to help the child learn to read. The next genre is chapter books. Here the plot and the words grow as the child has done. The story can be more complex and more geared towards engaging the child with a bit of mystery, suspense and fantasy.

Then it goes to the middle grade. At this point, the child has grown and has a greater understanding and vocabulary, so the stories should be for him. The plot and conflict can be more complex than earlier chapter books.

Ultimately, it is about young adults. Stories in this genre can be sophisticated and complex enough to attract adult readers. But obviously it should still be written avoiding the central theme. While it can cover almost any topic, it should be devoid of any explicit adult context. Writing for adults is simpler; the writer usually writes with the vocabulary to which he is accustomed.

The question is: How does a writer know which words are specific to a particular age group? Unless he is an experienced writer and familiar with the vocabularies of the different age groups, he will need help in this area.

Three sources/tools to find age-appropriate words

1. One source that I have found very useful is Children’s Writers Word Book, 2nd Edition, by Alijandra Mogilner and Tayopa Mogilner. Lists specific words that are introduced at seven key reading levels (kindergarten through sixth grade). It provides a thesaurus of those words with annotations with reading levels. In addition, it offers detailed guidelines for sentence length, word usage, and topics at each reading level. I find it a valuable tool in my writing tool belt.

2. Another great source is Intervention Central (http://www.interventioncentral.org/htmdocs/tools/okapi/okapi.php) which uses the Spache and Dale formulas. This is an amazing site that allows you to enter up to 200 words, choose a readability formula (what grade level you are writing for), and click through to see the results. The program, OKAPI (an Internet application for creating curriculum-based assessment reading tests) will return a readability analysis of your text, indicating which grade level the particular content is appropriate for.

3. Next up is Englishraven.com ( [http://www.englishraven.com] ). This site provides Dolch word lists (sight words listed by frequency and importance) for each grade level. The lists are limited, but they give a good indication of the words that are appropriate for the particular age group you are writing for.

These three resources are helpful in finding the right words for the children’s writer. There are also other books and sites available that will help you in your search for age-appropriate words for your children’s book, just do a search.

Health Fitness

Workplace Wellness – What’s for lunch?

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Anyway, what’s the problem with eating healthy at work? We spend most of our time at work, that is. Some of us spend breakfast, lunch, and dinner at work. What about that 2:30 slump? Do you find it difficult to think clearly? Well, when you eat to improve your health, you think more clearly, you are a better problem solver, you lose weight, and you feel more energetic. Doctors know and you know it too when you choose unhealthy foods, you not only use up more sick days, but you also increase your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar, resulting in you spending money on medications, medical bills and emergency room. visits

These are all good reasons why you should consider revamping lunch at work. Wondering how do I get started? Start by ditching those microwave meals, salty soups, carb-laden sweets, and of course, fast foods that put you to sleep. Instead, replace them with healthy foods, such as a hearty fruit salad, whole-bran muffins with a large glass of iced tea or water that will keep you awake and alert.

Eating healthier at work doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or boring. In fact, it could start the next trend toward healthier eating in your office. This new trend will give you a leaner body and quicker thought processes that you can use to not only show off but get ahead at work. Now tell me, who doesn’t do that? I know, I know, you’re probably saying to yourself, “That sounds great and all Cindy, but who has time to eat healthy anyway?” Don’t worry, I completely get it, with heavy work schedules, time crunch, and tight time frames, many of us end up eating lunch at our desks or running for a quick lunch. Now you’re probably thinking, but eating healthy means eating boring salads, right? Completely wrong! Salads not only don’t have to be boring, but they’re not your only options when it comes to healthier eating with “corporate flair.”

Soups – Sandwiches – Salads

  • soups – Studies have shown that broth-based soups can not only fill you up with fewer calories and keep you feeling full longer, but also fill your quota of potentially satisfying all your daily vegetable requirements in one meal. I know right? Pretty impressive, huh? When eating healthy, be sure to choose a low-sodium soup based on chicken, vegetable, or beef broth with lots of colorful vegetables to take advantage of. Canned soups are fine in a pinch, but pay attention to total calories per serving, fat grams, and sodium content. Homemade soups are a healthy option since you can control the ingredients. You can make a large batch of soup on the weekends and then freeze it in single-serving containers to enjoy throughout the week.

  • sandwiches – Put a new twist on the traditional sandwich by using whole wheat pita bags or whole wheat tortillas for healthy wraps. Don’t eat a lot of mayonnaise though, it’s mostly full of fat and empty calories. Try mustard, hummus, low-fat mayonnaise, or even low-calorie salad dressing for more flavor. Another tip, there are many varieties of low-fat cold cuts available and easy to prepare, so what are you waiting for? Make your deliciously fantastic “sandwiches”! When you go for deli meats, be sure to avoid meats with nitrates listed on the label because there have been many studies correlating nitrate intake with cancer and other health conditions. Another option is to load your sandwich with fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, green bell peppers, avocado, dark leafy green lettuce, kale, and spinach.

  • salads – If you think that a salad is just some lettuce tossed in a bowl with dressing, then you are seriously mistaken. Salads are the perfect way to enjoy a big lunch without adding extra inches to your waistline. To make the perfect salad, start with the lettuce – darker leaves mean more nutrients, which means ditching iceberg lettuce because it’s basically nutritionally empty. Dark leafy greens are not only tastier but also better for you. After choosing your favorite lettuce, spinach, and/or kale, the possibilities are endless. Pick and choose your favorite vegetables, fruits and even nuts to make a colorful and delicious salad. To add fiber add beans, nuts, apples, pears, and even some dried fruit. You can even add some diced cooked chicken, turkey, tuna or salmon for a protein punch.

Healthy Salad Dressing Recipe

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup lemon juice

1/2 cup cold-pressed organic extra virgin olive oil

Blend or shake together in a jar. Add some Dijon mustard, honey, salt and pepper and taste to your liking. Then drizzle over your salad, creating a delicious and healthy treat!

By making a few small healthy changes to your eating habits, you’ll feel more awake, alert, and clearer thinking—and save money on doctor bills. Including more nutritious food at work doesn’t have to be difficult or boring. In reality, the variety of healthy foods far exceeds what is offered by vending machines, food counters, and fast food outlets. Eating healthy at work is easy, affordable, and the benefits are immeasurable in the long run.

Is it still too hard?

So ask yourself this, what would you be willing to change to have more energy to play with your children, go out at night with your friends and family? Is that too many trips to fast food or a couple bags of chips to feel good all day?

Legal Law

Conservative Kenyans might be missing a point

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The Ark of the Covenant is described in the Bible as a sacred container, in which the stone Tablets containing the Ten Commandments rested, as well as other sacred Israelite pieces. According to the biblical account, the Ark was built by God’s command, according to the prophetic vision of Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25:9-10). God communicated with Moses “from between the two cherubim” on the cover of the Ark (Exodus 25:22).

It is the most significant symbol of God’s direct hand towards humanity. It represents the personal presence of God. Claiming its presence in Kenya has the world looking at this small East African country with a renewed focus. There is no doubt that the Ark is associated with holiness and its presence represented the presence of God, a fact felt by all as told in the Bible.

Kenya has been largely peaceful even long before its independence from the British in 1963, save for a few isolated instances of skirmishes here and there. It has been the regional safe haven for refugees from all neighboring countries. People from Somalia, Uganda, Rwanda and Sudan have made Kenya their home for many years due to political instability in their respective countries.

However, political differences nearly plunged the country into civil war earlier this year. Claims of a stolen election result and highly charged ethnic differences divided the country into two main groups, the victims and the culprits. Whether or not the election results were rigged to favor either party remains a complex issue that legal experts are still trying to unravel.

But all’s well that ends well. Kenya’s two main rivals in politics, President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga have agreed to form a coalition government to restore sanity to the country. People who had been displaced from their homes are returning to their homes. Kenya will soon return to the usual path of peace and progress.

The quick resolution of the Kenyan solution can be attributed to the rapid response of the international community. From the beginning, the world made it clear that they will not sit by and watch Kenya degenerate into another Rwanda. There was massive coverage of the day’s events in the international media. The situation was not bad enough to justify sending peacekeeping forces by the international community, but they seemed ready for any eventuality.

It is easy to say that if the international community had not taken a strong position on Kenya, the country would have descended into full-scale civil war. But the religious college of elders that is in charge of the shrines on Mount Kenya has a different opinion. His spokesman, who prefers to be called the Chief Seer’s messenger, warned the country of the situation as early as 2006. He was on a one-man campaign to save a country through a radio show. However, he assured the people that there are certain guarantees that God gives to the people of Kenya while the Ark of the Covenant is in the country. The country can never go to a full-scale war.

Another preacher from the US, Thomas Manton, also gave a detailed prophecy about Kenya, the troubled elections, who will be the winner, the troubled aftermath and what the country hopes to see in the next five years. He described the country as a Holy Nation in his message. Until now, his prophecy has been opening page by page with what the country is experiencing.

This begs the question, why hasn’t Kenya taken the initiative to promote itself as a place of God? Why isn’t there a place of worship designed around Mount Kenya for people who want to have quiet moments with God? A study of religious tourism statistics from around the world shows what the country could be missing. Israel is an ideal example of where religion-based tourism can take a country.

Home to most of the sites mentioned in the New Testament, Israel welcomes tourists year-round, despite the security situation. The annual visits to the kaaba in Saudi Arabia for Muslims are also another example of highly successful religion-based tourism. It seems like highly protected policy to keep everything related to the Mount Kenya sanctuaries top secret, but in a world that has become a global village in this age of communication, there will be wisdom in sharing some of the mysteries that surround to the sanctuaries. . At the very least, a place of prayer and worship should be set aside so that Christians can identify with the Mountain of God.

Lifestyle Fashion

Allergies, Sensitivities and Intolerances: What’s the Difference?

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Did you know that only 4-5% of the US adult population has true allergies? Although many people suspect that they are allergic to something, it is most likely that what they suffer from is an intolerance or a sensitivity. The distinction may not seem important, but knowing the difference, especially in the case of severe reactions, can be critical. True food allergies can be life-threatening, while feeling unwell, bloated, and having digestive problems for up to a day after eating something your body can’t tolerate could be preventing you from losing weight or having the energy you’d like. you have, but it won’t send you to the ER.

Allergies to nuts and shellfish have been known to cause allergic reactions so severe that death can result from simply kissing someone who has recently eaten the offending food or from touching a table that has not been thoroughly cleaned. This has resulted in “nut-free” classrooms, federal regulations on food labeling, and some restaurants that cater to those with allergies. An important characteristic of a food allergy is that the onset of symptoms is immediate and with some allergies such as peanut or bee stings, the allergic reaction can worsen with each exposure. Anaphylactic shock can cause death if not promptly treated with an Epi-pen or similar medication to counteract the reaction. Other symptoms, sometimes severe, include wheezing, asthma, and hives.

An intolerance to food, a food additive, an environmental chemical, antibiotics, or mold may not cause a reaction for hours or even days, but when the body tries to process the substance, symptoms appear. It’s not life-threatening, but it can be very uncomfortable. Up to 80-90% of Americans suffer from food intolerances and most don’t know it. Two food intolerances that most people have heard of are lactose intolerance and gluten intolerance. With lactose intolerance, the body doesn’t make enough, or even any, of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose found in dairy products. This intolerance usually develops over time, so adults may not have any reaction to dairy until they are in their 40s. A gluten intolerance is the inability to process gluten, a component of many foods such as wheat, rye, and barley and found in many processed foods. Increased awareness of gluten intolerance has caused many food companies to start producing gluten-free foods. An intolerance can cause symptoms such as weight gain, eczema, irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue, excess gas, bloating, and swelling of some parts of the body, such as hands or feet. It is important to distinguish between a gluten intolerance, a gluten allergy, or celiac disease, an autoimmune disease in which the body reacts in a similar way to an allergy and can cause weight loss.

Allergies cause the immune system to react and many are less severe than allergies to peanuts or bee stings. Pollen and other allergies can be mild and respond well to antihistamines that reduce the body’s immune response to the trigger. The level of reaction varies from person to person, but a key factor in identifying an allergy is that a specific person’s reaction is the same every time they are exposed to that allergen, regardless of the amount. Intolerances don’t trigger an immune response, but they do cause discomfort and health problems because the body can’t process that substance, whether it’s gluten, preservatives found in many foods, or certain antibiotics, molds, or environmental chemicals. The reaction to an intolerance varies from person to person, but it also varies depending on how much of the substance the person is exposed to. Some people with gluten intolerance can eat a small amount and not have a reaction, resulting in different levels of intolerance and different ways that people should manage intolerance. Sensitivities are less well known and generally cause symptoms such as acid reflux, nausea, or abdominal cramps but, as with intolerances, do not involve the immune system. Someone’s reaction to a particular substance also depends on the amount of the substance and can vary from situation to situation.

The increase in people with allergies, specifically in children, has been researched and documented, leading to changes in lunch menus and cafeteria rules. Although it is possible to work with your allergist to slowly reduce your reaction to an allergen with immunotherapy, it is often not used for severe allergies. Allergy shots, especially for environmental toxins that are difficult to avoid such as pollen, have been used for years and have been shown to reduce allergic reactions over time. Research is being done to find ways to build resistance to allergens, but there is still a lot of work to be done for severe allergies. For some severe allergies, it’s best to avoid the allergen altogether.

Intolerances have been recognized for decades, but it has taken time to help sufferers to recognize the range of substances that can cause a reaction. People may not associate the frequent or even constant bloating and discomfort they feel with their diet for quite some time because the reaction is not immediate. Drinking a shake, when you’ve been doing it your whole life, and then having sudden bowel problems that night or the next day can take some time to reconnect with the shake.

Testing for both allergies and intolerances or sensitivities have come a long way. Keeping a food and symptom diary and getting tested can provide a pathway to wellness, as most reactions are due to intolerances that cause discomfort. Allergy testing no longer requires multiple skin pricks, but can be performed with a simple blood draw that measures the immune system’s reaction to specific allergens. Testing for intolerances or sensitivities to foods and environmental substances can also be done with a simple blood test that will allow people to know which foods to avoid completely and which to reduce in their diet. Eliminating the factors that cause swelling and inflammation can relieve symptoms and leave you feeling healthy and energized. Better health may be just a blood test away!

Pets

High speed

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While the two smartphones in question don’t look all that different from those currently on the market, the name is certainly new. Velocity is a UK-based company that has partnered with Inventec, a Taiwan-based company that manufactures for HP and Toshiba, among others.

Velocity is about to launch the Velocity 103 and 111, both are high-end smartphones packed with features to suit even the most demanding customer.

The Velocity 103 seems to be competing with the recently announced HTC Touch Diamond and obviously Apple’s iPhone as all smartphones seem to compare to it! The Velocity 103 is a touch mobile phone with a good size 2.8 inch screen, it will support 3G, HSDPA, Wi-Fi and has A-GPS so getting around shouldn’t be a problem and browsing the internet or downloading will be nice and fast. It also has a 2-megapixel camera, VGA secondary camera for video calls and memory can be expanded via microSD card.

The Velocity 111 has similar features to the 103, but is aimed at those who prefer a BlackBerry-style device, with a full qwerty keyboard rather than a full touch screen. The Velocity 111 runs on the Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional operating system, again we have 3G, HSDPA, Wi-Fi and A-GPS, in addition to the main 2-megapixel camera, VGA secondary camera, Bluetooth and microSD card slot.

The Velocity 103 is available for pre-order now, while the Velocity 111 is expected in the coming months. Neither cell phone is going to be a ‘cheap’ option, but for those who need a smartphone that ticks all the boxes, the Velocity duo should be a great option.

Real Estate

Establishment of a foreign-owned restaurant business in Beijing

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1. INTRODUCTION

For all of us (foreign) ‘locals’ in Beijing, we have seen the massive growth of foreign owned restaurants in recent years. These establishments are not only popular (and highly profitable), but add to the international cuisine and perspective of the nation’s capital. In this article, we outline the various procedures required to set up a restaurant. (There are alternatives to setting up a management office first and then a restaurant as a branch office, but more on this in later articles.)

2. BUSINESS ENTITY

To establish a restaurant, the owner must decide what type of entity will own and operate the establishment. In China, this is much more difficult than in other markets like the US, where people can own and operate businesses. Fortunately, the restaurant industry is quite open and the operating entity can be a wholly foreign owned enterprise (WFOE) (owned by a company or individual) or a joint venture (JV) (if partnering with a Chinese national), Although it is not possible for a foreigner to own the restaurant directly as a sole proprietor. Also, to open a restaurant, there are additional licenses and approvals that are needed in addition to the traditional limited liability company requirements. However, once the business is established with the proper business scope and registered capital, it can be used to open additional branches, although of course each branch will require certain approvals for that specific location (see below Health and Hygiene, Environmental Impact, etc.)
Unless there are compelling reasons to the contrary, such as locating and trusting a suitable Chinese partner, the WFOE, a limited liability company wholly owned by the investor, is the likely choice for foreigners, as it offers the most autonomy. Although previously quite common and sadly still prevalent, for the sake of simplicity, many foreigners choose to allow the Chinese partners to open the restaurant as a domestic (Chinese) company. In this case, the Chinese partners will be the sole shareholders of the company, leaving the foreign investor with no legal ownership rights. (Given the often very large initial personal investment, we advise investors to consider the appropriateness of such an ownership structure.)

3. INITIAL PROCEDURES (ONLY FOR RESTAURANTS)

In chronological order, the following procedures must be carried out before the establishment of the business entity itself:
i) Apply for and obtain the notification of company name approval with the Beijing Administration for Industry and Commerce (BAIC)
The name (in Chinese) will be composed of, and in the following order:
Part 1 – WFOE City: In this case it would be: Beijing; Part 2 – Company name (ie Bill’s BBQ); Part 3 – Type of business (ie restaurant); Part 4 – Form of organization (ie, Limited Liability Company).
Taken together, the registered Chinese name would be: Beijing Bill’s BBQ Restaurant Co., Ltd.
It is recommended that the applicant choose at least three names to verify their availability. The company name must be consistent with the actual type of business and must not go beyond the scope of the business explicitly or implicitly.

ii) Selection of a restaurant location

The location of the restaurant is obviously important from a business point of view, but according to the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau (BMEPB) regulations, if the restaurant is located near residential areas (within 50 meters), residents they must approve it. At this time there is no regulation that defines the “approval of the neighbors”, and, currently, the BMEPB has considered the following sufficient (depending on the circumstances): survey or completed questionnaire to the residents, and letter of approval from the association of neighbours .

iii) Request and Obtain a Sanitary and Food Hygiene License before the Municipal Health Directorate

Various documentation must be provided, including, but not limited to, the restaurant’s location and site map, and the restaurant’s internal health and safety rules. Within 10 days of submitting the documents, the Health Office will notify the applicant and arrange for on-site inspection. Primary areas of inspection will include hygiene and safety of; 1) raw food preparation area; 2) kitchen area; 3) employee change area; 4) faucet and sink area; and 5) waste disposal area. Inspectors must provide an on-the-spot list of non-compliance and recommendations to remedy the situation. For certain minor problems, the submission of a photo of the applicant of the modified area should be sufficient, so as not to require a second visit by the inspector. Notification of approval, assuming all inspection areas do not require repeat visits, must be made within 20 days.

(iv) Alcohol permit record

Although registration for the alcohol permit will not be completed until after the issuance of the business license, tax registration permit, and health and food hygiene license, the applicant will need to reflect their intent to sell alcohol on the health and hygiene application. . The Food Health and Hygiene License application must include approved wording in the scope of business to indicate that you will sell alcohol.

v) Examination and Approval of Environmental Protections (EP) (District Level)

Restaurant applications do not require a separate EP Impact Report. The two required forms include: 1) Environmental Impact Application Form – to be completed by the applicant; and 2) Environmental Impact Report Form – to be filled out and sealed by an authorized environmental evaluation entity.
The Report Form will mainly examine, among others, the following: an environmental assessment of the interior and exterior environment and the immediate vicinity of the building, an environmental analysis of the site, potential and future environmental impact of the surroundings and recommendations for the protection of the environment. The primary focus of the environmental impact application is to assess the site’s potential and actual water and noise pollution, fire protection, and waste disposal.
When selecting a restaurant location (see above), it is important to note that the outdoor smoke vent exhaust fixture must be located at least 20 meters from any residence or above any residential area.

(vi) No tobacco permits

As of March 2007, the laws state that foreign business companies cannot sell tobacco-related products. Foreign companies that currently sell tobacco will not be allowed to sell these products after their permits expire at the end of 2008.

4. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ENTITY: WFOE OR JV

i) Request Certificate of Approval
Once all of the above approvals are obtained, they will be submitted with the Articles of Incorporation and Feasibility Report (along with supporting documentation) for Letter of Approval with the Beijing Municipal Office of Commerce.

(ii) Share capital
Registered capital is the stated amount of capital that will be invested in the business. The registered capital will be reflected in the articles of association of the company and will be registered with the relevant government authorities. Since the entire registered capital amount must be invested (subject to cancellation), it is a very important legal and business decision.
Although the minimum amount of registered capital, under the Company Law, can be as low as RMB 30,000, this will definitely not apply to restaurant companies.
Please note that the investor may contribute non-monetary registered capital, among other things, in the form of technology/intellectual property rights. The cash contribution to the registered capital cannot be less than 30%.

iii) Capital Contribution

The capital contribution may be made through a single payment or in installments. The lump sum will be paid within 90 days from the issuance of the temporary business license. If paid in installments, a minimum of 20% will be paid within 90 days. The total amount will be paid within 1 year from the date of incorporation of the company.

iv) Apply for and obtain a temporary business license with the Beijing Administration for Industry and Commerce

With the Certificate of Approval, the applicant can apply for and obtain the temporary business license. The restaurant cannot start operations at this time.

v) Additional Certificates to obtain Permanent Commercial License

Once the temporary business license is issued, the applicant can apply for the various approval certificates and the capital injection. Before the permanent business license, the applicant must obtain the following certificates, reports and attend to the following banking matters:
· Certificate of Registration of the Organization Code in the Office of the Organization Code;
· Certificate of Tax Registration before the General Directorate of Taxes;
· Statistics Registration Certificate before the Statistics Office;
· Exchange Registration Certificate before the Superintendency of Exchange;
Registration of the Entry and Exit Administration Office of the Public Security Bureau
Open a basic RMB bank account with the designated bank;
Open a foreign currency capital bank account with a designated bank;
· Inject capital after the opening of the foreign exchange capital bank account by the client; Y
· Capital Verification Report with a Chinese CPA firm.

vi) Permanent commercial license with the BAIC

With the permanent business license issued, the restaurant will be legally established and able to operate fully within the commercial realm.

5. OTHER ISSUES

i) Logo / Brand Registration

Since China is a first-to-file jurisdiction, the general rule is to register any trademark as soon as possible, which basically means that whoever files first is presumed to be the owner of the trademark. Company logo and names in Chinese and English can be registered with the China Trademark Office.

ii) Carve Company Chop (stamp) and other related chops

Once the business license is issued and the business has been registered with the Bureau of Entry and Exit Administration of the Bureau of Public Security, the applicant can apply for the tabs of the business, the legal representative, and other tabs related to the Bureau of Public security. They will designate an authorized carving stamp agent to carve the chops.

iii) Other Applications and Registration
Register the business license at the district Industry and Commerce Administration and at the district Municipal Commerce Office
· Certificate of Finance Registration with the Finance Bureau
Certificate of Customs Registration before the Customs Directorate

6. CONCLUSION

All foreign investors setting up a business in China will face many obstacles. Setting up a restaurant will add many other variables to the issues involved. Proper planning, professional advice and start-up can reduce and avoid unnecessary delays and risks, so that the business can start operating and generate income.

Shopping Product Reviews

Become the Alpha Male: Learn how to attract women without looking like Brad Pitt

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Are you sick and tired of being just one of the guys at the bar trying to attract a pretty girl? If you’re like me, it was always a weird feeling and I didn’t like it. He wanted attention, he wanted to be the guy she passed everyone else to talk to. The problem is that I don’t look like Brad Pitt, nor do I have six pack abs or a Ferrari. So I didn’t know how to be so attractive to the women in my circle. So I spent time studying it and came up with some simple things, but very effective. I’ve shared a few of these on my blog before, but some of these are new.

One of the best ways to attract women is to have a woman by your side. There is something psychological for women in a guy who already has a woman. Now the woman you have with you may just be a friend, it doesn’t really matter. For the other women in the room, it at least makes them see you as someone who should have good qualities, at best it makes them see your “friend” as competition. In either case, you win!

Stop agreeing with everything he says. Now I’m not telling you to start an argument with her, but what I’m telling you is that to stand out you have to do things differently. Most guys just look at a girl and agree with everything that comes out of her mouth. She could say the sky is falling and they’d say “yes, ma’am.” This is boring and ridiculous for a woman. She challenges her thoughts when she says something. This will engage her in a deeper conversation. That is definitely a win for you!

Become the alpha male in the room, what do I mean “alpha male”? Well, in the wild, females don’t usually mate with males like we do. All females are typically attracted to the single, powerful and supreme male. So in essence, if you’re not that guy, you don’t get any. All the rest of the males are pushed into the dreaded “friend zone”. There are easy ways to become the alpha male no matter what group you are in. When you’re the alpha male, you really don’t have to work hard to win!

Following these ideas will take you far when it comes to meeting and dating women. Unfortunately, our mom just didn’t know how to prepare us to attract women. Our dad usually doesn’t either. Society does a pretty bad job of teaching men how to be respectful but attractive. Now you have the tools to get started. Once you do, you’ll see that it really isn’t as hard as you think.

Sports

Hat metaphors and similes

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I collect these. Additions to this list are welcome. Also, note that in some cases I don’t know the origin of a particular expression. If you have knowledge or theories about the origin of something then I would also like to hear from you. I hope you enjoy it.

speaking through your hat

Talk nonsense or lie. c1885. [In an interview in The World entitled “How About White Shirts”, a reporter asked a New York streetcar conductor what he thought about efforts to get the conductors to wear white shirts like their counterparts in Chicago. “Dey’re talkin’ tru deir hats” he was quoted as replying.]

eating your hat

There is no sure thing, but that’s where this expression comes from. If you tell someone you’ll eat your hat if they do something, make sure you’re not wearing your best hat, just in case. [The expression goes back at least to the reign of Charles II of Great Britain and had something to do with the amorous proclivities of ‘ol Charlie. Apparently they named a goat after him that had his same love of life which included, in the goat’s case, eating hats.]

old hat

Old and boring things; out of style. [This seems to come from the fact that hat fashions are constantly changing. The fact of the matter is that hat fashions had not been changing very fast at all until the turn of the 19th Century. The expression therefore is likely about 100 years old.]

mad as a hatter

Totally insane, crazy. [Hatters did, indeed, go mad. They inhaled fumes from the mercury that was part of the process of making felt hats. Not recognizing the violent twitching and derangement as symptoms of a brain disorder, people made fun of affected hat-makers, often treating them as drunkards. In the U.S., the condition was called the “Danbury shakes.” (Danbury, Connecticut, was a hat-making center.) Mercury is no longer used in the felting process: hat-making — and hat-makers — are safe.]

hat in hand

A show of humility. For example, “I come, hat in hand” means that I come in deference or weakness. [I assume that the origins are from feudal times when serfs or any lower members of feudal society were required to take off their hats in the presence of the lord or monarch (remember the Dr. Seuss book “The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins”?). A hat is your most prideful adornment.]

pass the hat

Literally, passing a man’s hat around members of an audience or group as a means of collecting money. Also to beg or ask for charity. [The origin is self-evident as a man’s hat turned upside down makes a fine container.]

Tight as Dick’s hat band

Anything too tight. [The Dick in this case is Richard Cromwell, the son of England’s 17th Century “dictator”, Oliver Cromwell. Richard succeeded his dad and wanted to be king but was quickly disposed. The hatband in the phrase refers to the crown he never got to wear.]

hat trick

Three consecutive successes in a game or other endeavor. For example, taking three wickets with three successive bowls by a bowler in a game of cricket, three goals or points won by a player in a game of football or ice hockey, etc. [From cricket, from the former practice of awarding a hat to a bowler who dismissed three batsmen with three successive balls.]

hard hats

In the 19th century, men who wore bowler hats were specifically Eastern businessmen and later thieves, gamblers, and detectives. [Derby hats, a.k.a. Bowlers or Cokes, were initially very hard as they were developed in 1850 for use by a game warden, horseback rider wanting protection.] Today, the “hard hats” are construction workers [for obvious reasons].

In one’s hat, or in the hat

An expression of disbelief. [Origin unknown. Help us if you can]

throw a hat in the ring

Participate in a contest or race, for example, a political candidacy for office. [A customer wrote us with the following: “I read in “The Language of American Politics” by William F. Buckley Jr. that the phrase “throw one’s hat in the ring” comes from a practice of 19th Century saloonkeepers putting a boxing ring in the middle of the barroom so that customers who wanted to fight each other would have a place to do so without starting a donnybrook. If a man wanted to indicate that he would fight anybody, he would throw his hat in the ring.

At one point, Theodore Roosevelt declared he was running for office with a speech that included a line that went something like, “My hat is in the ring and I am stripped to the waist”. The phrase “my hat in the ring” stuck, probably because “I am stripped to the waist” is a little gross.]

Congratulation to you. . .

“Congratulations to the US Winter Olympic Team,” for example. An exclamation of approval or congratulations. [Origins must be from the fact that taking one’s hat off or tipping one’s hat is a traditional demonstration of respect.]

A feather in your cap

A special achievement. [I assume that the origins on this expression hail from the days when, in fact, a feather for one’s cap would be awarded for an accomplishment much like a medal is awarded today and pinned to one’s uniform. A feather, or a pin, add a certain prestige or luster to one’s apparel.]

Hold on to your hat(s)

A warning that some excitement or danger is imminent. [When riding horseback or in an open-air early automobile, the exclamation “hold on to your hat” when the horse broke into a gallop or the car took-off was certainly literal.]

bee in your hat

An indication of agitation or an idea that you cannot let go and just have to express. [A real bee in one’s bonnet certainly precipitates expression.]

wearing many hats

Of course, this is a metaphor for having many different duties or jobs. [Historically, hats have often been an integral, even necessary, part of a working uniform. A miner, welder, construction worker, undertaker, white-collar worker or banker before the 1960s, chef, farmer, etc. all wear, or wore, a particular hat. Wearing “many hats” or “many different hats” simply means that one has different duties or jobs.]

All hat and no cattle

All show and nothing of substance. For example, in October 2003, Senator Robert Byrd declared that the Bush administration’s statements that he wanted the United Nations as a partner in Iraq’s transformation were “all hats and no cattle.” [This Texas expression refers to men who dress the part of powerful cattlemen, but don’t have the herds back home.]

To hang the hat (or not)

Commit to something (or not), or risk your reputation on something (or not), like an idea or a policy. For example, “I wouldn’t hang my hat on George Steinbrenner’s decision to fire his manager.” [Origin unknown. Can anyone help with this one?]

At the drop of a hat

Fast. [Dropping a hat, can be a way in which a race can start (instead of a starting gun for example). Also, a hat is an apparel item that can easily become dislodged from its wearer. Anyone who wears hats regularly has experienced the quickness by which a hat can fly off your head.]

To Tip Your Hat or A tip of the hat

An endorsement of respect, approval, appreciation or the like. Example: “A tip of the hat to the US troops for the capture of Saddam Hussein.” [This is simply verbalizing an example of hat etiquette. Men would (and some still do) tip their hat to convey the same message.]

My hat instead of myself

This is an expression from Ecuador, cradle of the “Panama” hat. It means what is said; it is better to give up your hat than your life. [The Guayas River runs through Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city on the Pacific coast. People from the city were known to hunt alligators for their hides in the river by swimming stark naked wearing Panama hats on their heads and long knives between their teeth. When the reptiles open their jaws and go for the swimmer, he dives leaving his hat floating on the surface for the alligator to chew on while he plunges the knife into the animal’s vitals. From THE PANAMA HAT TRAIL by Tom Miller.]

bad hat

I think this is a French expression for a bad person. [Ludwig Bemelmans’ MADELINE series of children’s books, set in France, includes one MADELINE AND THE BAD HAT. In this story Madeline, our heroine, refers to a little boy neighbor as a “bad hat”. She clearly means this as a metaphor for a bad person and because I do not know the expression in English, I assume this is a common French reference. If anyone out there knows more about this, please drop us an email.]

hat for hat

Step by Step. [Nevada Barr’s book SEEKING ENLIGHTENMENT: Hat by Hat means just that. Has anyone heard this expression otherwise? If yes, please email us.]

keep something under one’s hat

Keeping a secret. [People kept important papers and small treasures under their hats. One’s hat was often the first thing put on in the morning and the last thing taken off at night, so literally keeping things under one’s hat was safe keeping. A famous practitioner of this was Abraham Lincoln. The very utilitarian cowboy hat was also commonly used for storage.]

Here’s your hat, but what’s your rush?

When someone has taken up enough of your time and you want them to go away. [Origin unknown.]

Wear your office in your hat

Operate a business on a shoestring budget. [Important papers and the like were often carried in one’s hat.]

His cap sets

A young woman “puts on her cap” for a young man she hopes to interest in marrying her. [Long ago, maidens wore caps indoors because homes were poorly heated. A girl set her most becoming hat on her head when an eligible fellow came to call.]

thinking cap

To put on the “thinking cap” is to think carefully about some problem. [Teachers and philosophers in the Middle Ages often wore distinctive caps that set them apart from those who had less learning. Caps became regarded as a symbol of education. People put them on (literally or figuratively) to solve their own problems.]

black hat. . .

Black hat tactics, black hat intentions, etc. refer to nefarious actions or designs. [Black hats in Western lore and literature were the bad guys.]

White hat. . .

Although I don’t see or hear this expression as much as “Black Hat”, it is simply the opposite of the above. [Good guys wore/wear white hats.]

Tours Travel

The most romantic hotels in the world

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As is known, holidays are inseparably linked with romance. Of course, we go in search of extreme sensations from time to time, but more often, having disappeared for a while from the usual city atmosphere and tense way of life, we dream of connecting to a rather comfortable and lyrical atmosphere, especially if we are not doing it alone, but in the company of our beloved.

Recently the Five Star Alliance company, which deals with the reservations of hotels of the highest category, has published the list of “the most luxurious hotels in the world”, which is compiled annually on the basis of the comments of employees, customer memories and hotel popularity ratings. Five Star Alliance, which specializes only in luxury hotels, includes on its daily lists only “la crème de la crème,” which means “the cream of society” in simple English.

Based on objective and subjective opinions, Five Star Alliance named the group of the most glamorous romantic hotels of the year 2007. The hotels were not given any type of place, the company only listed those that are most appropriate for the rest of the couples in love

One of the most amazing hotels that made the list, “la Casa Que Canta” is located on Playa la Ropa in Mexico City. This water-locked place has an amazingly beautiful view, especially if you have booked a waterfront room. Two of the resort’s aqua pools are considered the most elegant pools in the world. For example, one of them sits on the Gulf of Zihuantanejo, and gives the impression that it simply came out of a large body of water. Hotel clients can enjoy golf, tennis, diving, fishing and many other water sports and also the best Spa, excellent food, perfect service and extraordinary landscapes.

If you want to spend a holiday in the middle of oasis of palm and olive trees, it is best to do it at the Moroccan hotel Amajena, located in Marrakech called the “red city”. The design of the hotel is reminiscent of the old Arab clay buildings. Marble fountains, emerald ceilings, a huge pool of water and manicured lawns immerse you in the atmosphere of the 16th century, but the symphony of modern facilities and Moorish magnificence turn vacations into essential happiness.

The rest in Italy still attracts many romantics. According to the Five Star Alliance, La Sirenuse, which was converted from a castle to a luxurious hotel in 1951, is considered the best hotel in southern Italy. There are two bars, a large heated swimming pool, 63 rooms with a Jacuzzi and seascape in it.

This hotel located in the city of Positano, 7 kilometers from the famous Sorrento, presents its guests with a true romance.

Singapore raffles are also listed there. The large hotel with 108 rooms, 18 restaurants and bars, a world-class Spa represents a whole conception of lifestyle. The hotel accommodates its clients only in the most luxurious rooms, eats and eats with excellent products.

There is a museum and a theater inside, but the magnificence of the court and the gardens that spread throughout the hotel area enslave your soul.

Traditionally, Paris has been considered the city of lovers. But in Nice your holidays will be much more romantic. According to the opinion of the Five Star Alliance, the best place to rest in France should be the hotel Le Palais de la Mediterannee. This elegant and luxurious hotel, built in 1929, has its own beach, heated swimming pool, Finnish and Turkish bath, gym, casino and shops. The hotel, built in the old style, is given the status of a historical building. It has recently been completely renovated and has become a more comfortable place. By the way, a ski resort is located an hour away.

The most romantic and luxurious hotels are also considered to be the Italian “Bauer Il Palazzo” (Venice) and “Villa d’Este”, the American “Auberge Du Soleil”, the Irish “Ashford Castle” and the Canadian “The Wickaninnish Inn”.